c/o NEC, 791 8th Street

Arcata, CA 95521
http://www.healthyhumboldt.org

Working for a General Plan that will…

Protect Forest Resources and Keep Timber Production Viable
The General Plan Update will shape future land use in unincorporated areas of the County.
Protecting timberlands is essential to maintain the jobs they support along with environmental
qualities they preserve, such as clean water, clean air, fish and wildlife habitat, and scenic
values. Continuing the conversion of timberlands to residential uses threatens an industry that
has historically formed the backbone of Humboldt County’s economy.

The GPU’s Forest Resources Chapter is about planning for future forestlands, not about existing
residences. Healthy Humboldt supports a low‐cost, voluntary process for legalizing existing
non‐permitted residences on Timber Production Zone (TPZ) lands which comply with feasible
standards for safety and forest ecosystem protection.

Healthy Humboldt’s Goals for the Forest Resources Chapter of the Land Use Element
Industrial vs. Non‐Industrial TPZ Lands
We need policies that will prevent subdivision of and residential development on industrial
timber lands while allowing small landowners to live on the land they manage. One way to
do this would be to have two land use classifications for timber. Alternative A would
establish zoning for Industrial and Non‐Industrial timberlands.

• Non‐Industrial Timberlands (ownership of less than 5000 acres) would allow for one
house per 160 acres for all future subdivision, with several options for smaller existing
parcels being actively managed for timber or forest ecosystem values continuing as TPZ.
Others would be eligible for immediate rezoning for residential use (see below).

• Industrial Timberlands (ownership of more than 5000 acres) would allow for
one house per 600 acres. Fewer than 20 landowners own more than 5,000 acres.

Rollout of TPZ for “Substandard” Parcels

For lands zoned TPZ, immediate rollout is proposed for smaller parcels that are no longer
being managed primarily for timber production. The County should bear the administrative
costs of TPZ rollout.

TPZ Tax Status should continue to apply to lands managed for EITHER timber production or
forest ecosystem values. Management practices could include thinning, habitat restoration,
road decommissioning, erosion and sediment source reduction, etc.

Establish a Community Forest Acquisition and Management Program to provide

recreational opportunities, protection for fish and wildlife habitat, community income from
sustainable timber harvest, and can function as a buffer zone between residential areas and
industrial timber production zones.
 Protecting Forest Resources with the General Plan Update
Over the past two decades, residential value has begun to eclipse timber value on
even the largest and most productive industrial and non‐industrial ownerships. Unless
we implement measures to protect working timberlands, we stand to lose our timber
base and our vital forested landscape. Once developed, we would never get it back.

“Allowing small lots into TPZ may discourage timber production because these lots
are purchased and used primarily for residential purposes.”
~Humboldt County Forest Review Committee, 11-15-00

“Changes in zoning that lead to reduced parcel sizes and encourage development
detracts from the benefits that can be derived from actively managed forests.”
~Calif. Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, 1-11-07

Humboldt County produces more timber than any other county in the state. Timber production—
both Industrial and Non‐Industrial—has long been the cornerstone of the region’s economy,
and with proper management is arguably the county’s greatest long‐term economic asset.

The Timber Production Zone (TPZ) was established to provide a property tax reduction in
exchange for limiting the use of the land to timber production and compatible uses that
protect forest resources. The California Timberlands Productivity Act of 1982 was enacted to
ensure long‐term economic viability of the forest products industry by reducing pressures to
divert timberlands to other uses. The redwood forest is a particularly limited natural resource
that should be managed for timber production and ecosystem values. The “highest and best
use” of these forests should be protected by promoting well‐planned development in areas
served by public infrastructure while discouraging residential development of rural resource
lands.

Attend the October 15 Planning Commission Hearing in Eureka at 6 p.m.

Submit written comments to mspencer@co.humboldt.ca.us.
For more information, visit www.healthyhumboldt.org

Healthy Humboldt is a coalition of public interest groups working for a County General
Plan that provides healthy housing and transportation choices while protecting resource
lands and watersheds by focusing future growth in existing communities.

To read the draft GPU, visit http://co.humboldt.ca.us/gpu/.

See “Plan Alternatives—Key Issues and Comparison Charts”
COPIES of the GPU are available at libraries, or from the Planning Department at 268‐3074.